Dorset hospitals declare critical incidents over pressures

Dorset County Hospital said it was experiencing staffing issues and high demand

Dorset's three main hospitals have declared critical incidents over "extreme operational pressures".

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust, which operates emergency departments in Bournemouth and Poole, said patients were experiencing very long waits.

The trust, together with Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, said more patients were being admitted than were being discharged.

All three hospitals have asked patients with minor injuries to stay away.

They also appealed to people to collect relatives who could be cared for at home.

University Hospitals Dorset said emergency patients were experiencing long waits

Dorset County Hospital NHS Trust said staffing issues were also having an impact on its services.

In separate statements, both NHS trusts said: "Our focus is making sure our patients are safe and that we keep our critical services running.

"Elective procedures and outpatients appointments are currently still going ahead but are under constant review."

Hospital trusts declare a critical incident when they are worried they are on the brink of not being able to provide critical services, such as emergency care.

It paves the way for measures to be taken, such as redeployment of staff.

On Wednesday, South Western Ambulance Service, which covers Dorset, declared a critical incident following "extreme demand".